Looking Up by Glynis M Belec

Did you ever 'play that game' where you go outside to a public place either by yourself or with friends and then you look heavenward? You keep looking and before you know it there are half a dozen other people looking up, too.
     Looking up is actually contagious. If you've never done it before, I Double Dog Dare you to.
Such fun - and not just for children!


     The only thing, though, when you play this game. It's just that - a game. You aren't really looking at anything. The goal is to try to trick others into doing what you are doing, which is actually only looking up with no reward at the end of the action.
     I know something better which is not a game or a trick and is amazingly more rewarding. And the cool thing - it, too, is catching.
     It's called being a contagious Christian. Yes, it's winter time and the snow is strutting her stuff in the Great White North. But the way I see it, we have two choices:

1. Moan and groan about all the inconveniences that winter brings—the shoveling, the snowsuits, the frozen fingers, the high heat bills, the short days—I could go on.

OR.

2. Enjoy and count all the blessings God sends our way in the winter—the beauty of four seasons, the chance to play in the snow with our children and grandchilden, our warm homes, hot soup, Christmas with family—I could go on, again.

By choosing door number one, we are opting to pass on the moaning and groaning and the attitude of never being satisfied. We can't wish winter away so we decide it must be our lot to complain. The only thing we accomplish when we opt for door number one, though, is our minor grumblings begin to grow. At first we are complaining about the weather and the temperature. Next thing, we begin complaining about our children and our spouses. Then the in-laws and the out-laws. The neighbours and the leaders who are messing everything up. We complain about church and those who say they are our friends. The snowball has grown. The misery and gloom has been passed on and everyone around us is thinking the same way - and before we know it, pessimism and despair are rampant.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:11 

 

Door number two opens to a different kind of world. A world where thankfulness is the key. Gratitude replaces complaint. A smile warms a lonely (or pessimistic) heart in the deep cold of winter. Building a snowfort becomes a time of bonding with our little ones. 'Snowflakes that stay on our nose and eyelashes' become one of our favourite things. We run inside and snuggle beside a warm fire with a steamy cup of hot chocolate and watch the Sound of Music. We realize that God didn't mess up this world but we focus on how He makes good out of the not so good. And then we sing and praise His name. When we opt for this way of thinking, much is accomplished for the Kingdom. At first we are giving thanks for the little things. We enjoy the blessings of family and we make sure they all know it. Then we remember our health or the way God is with us when we endure crises. We keep our hearts focused on the Light of the World and we forgive and trust, and hope and love and find joy and have patience, enjoy peace, do random acts of kindness not only on designated days or when someone is watching. 

      The result? Harmony. Peace. Pure joy. And that can only happen when we look up to the King of Kings. 

The Lord of Lords. 

The Prince of Peace. 

Wanna' join in? 

Double Dog Dare you! 

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?

Psalm 121:1

 To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!

                                                                                       Psalm 123:1

Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.

Isaiah 40:26